Doughnut machine



May 7, 1940' A. s. 'r. LAGAARD DOUGHNUT MACHINE 8% WW I 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1939 118 A '74 22 55 "7 Alexander S. T. Laaari y 7, i940. A. s. T. LAGAARD 2,199,855

DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed June 30, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 II II Zjwucwvbom Alexander ST. Laaard I y 1940- A. s. T, LAGAARD DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed June 30, 1939 6 SheetsSheet 6 Dmd.

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2W7 inf %v AD me-QM d 20 a WWW M Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED j STATES PATENT OFFICE DOUGHNUT MACHINE Alexander S. T. Lagaard, Minneapolis, Minn., as-

signor to Dough-King, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application June 30, 1939, Serial No. 282,111

12 Claims My invention relates to doughnut machines and particularly to doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a channel in 'a kettle throughout a circuitous course by 5' means of the flow of the cooking liquid.

An object of the invention resides in providing a control device for a doughnut machine of such character by means of which the rate of travel of the doughnuts'along the channel 10 may be regulated.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine having a channel formed with an off-set or bend therein and in disposing said control device' at the off-set or 15. bend.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the channel so that the same has a locality where the doughnuts cease to travel and in providing means for shifting the doughg5 doughnuts remain stationary and in providing.

means for shifting the doughnuts out of the pocket and into the channel.

Another object of the invention resides in con trolling the travel of the doughnuts along the channel by shifting the doughnuts laterally of the direction of flow of the cooking liquid in the channel.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings: :Fig. 1 is a plan sectional view of adoughnut machine illustrating an embodiment of my inven- 40 tion.-

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a greater scale. Fig. 3 'is' an elevationalsectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and drawn to the same scale 45 as Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and drawn to the same scale as.Fig.l. I

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view taken 50 on' line 55 of Fig. 1 and drawn to the samescale as Fig. 4'.

Fig. 6 is a view similar toFig. l of a modification of'th'e invention.

- Fig. 'l'is an elevational sectional view taken on 55 line "P-l of Fig. 1 and-drawn to a'greater scale.

I travel.

(C1. 53-7) y I r Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 takenon line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of still another form of the invention. Fig. 10 is an elevational'sectional view taken 5 -on'-line Ill-l0 of Fig, 1 and drawn to a greater scale. I

In the drawings I have shown a doughnut ma.-

chine A whichconsists of a case l0 constructed I is'constructed with a bottom l9 and with vertical walls 2| extending upwardly therefrom. The ver- 1 tical walls are connected at' their upper ends with upper walls 22 and the various walls are 'so arranged as to form a channel '23, which extends 25 through the maj or, portion of the kettle and which provides a way along which the doughnuts may The kettle l8 has one corner of the same removed as designated at 24, leaving a main portion 25 of the width of the case II] and of a length equal to about two-thirds of the length of the same. This construction also provides an extension 26 to the kettle which extends up to the end wall I2. The kettle I8 is constructed with a. ledge 21 extending about the margin of the same, which terminates in a lip 28 projecting upwardly from the extreme edge thereof. A guard 29 on the case l0 issues inwardly from the walls thereof and overlies the lip 28, thereby protecting the same and at the same time being spaced therefrom to retard transmission of heat from the kettle to the case. The kettle I8 is supported on the angle frame members I1. I I

The channel 23 is arranged to provide a straight run ,32 which commences in close proximity to wall l2 and follows along wall l3. The channel 23 at the end of run 32 makes acurve 33, which leads into another straight run 34 following along the wallll. At the end of this run the channel has another curve 35 which leads into still another straight run 36, which follows along the wall l4. At the end of the run 36 the channel is constructed with a loop 30 which communicateswith a diagonarrun I30. This latter run is connected through a curved run 31 with another straight run 38, which latter run is connected through a curved run 39. Run 39 communicates with a straight run. 4| which is parallel with the run 32. The run 4| discharges into a reservoir 42 which is merely an enlargement of said run. From this reservoir a short run 43 is provided which is connected through a curved run 44 with the beginning of the run 32.

The larger portion of kettle I3 is enclosed by means of a hood 45. This hood utilizes the uprights I5 at the end wall II and two other up:

rights 46 which are attached to the case I0 at the locality of the end of the major portion 25 thereof. The construction of the hood, not forming any particular feature of the invention, has not been shown in detail though it can readily'b'e comprehended that any suitablev construction may be used for the purpose. I

In the reservoir 42 is provided a vertical tubu lar duct 4'! which communicates at its lower end with the reservoir 42. In this duct is disposed a propeller or elevator 48 which is mounted on the armature shaft of a motor 49. The duct 41 communicates at its upper end with the run 43 of the channel 23, thus discharging the cooking liquid from the reservoir 42 and into the run 43 of the channel, from which it flows throughout the course of the channel and is returned'into reservoir 42.

At the lowermost portion of the reservoir 39 is arranged a clean out 5|, which also serves as a sump for collecting crumbs and other solid material formed in the operation of the machine. This construction forming no particular feature of the invention has not been illustrated in detail.

Situated at the beginning of the run .32 of channel 23 is adoughnut former 64, which comprises a receptacle 65 for dough and a cutter 66 connected therewith. Such construction being well known in the art will not be described in detail in this application. The cutter 66 includes a flanged sleeve 61 which serves dough extrusions from the mass contained in receptacles 65. This sleeve is reciprocated in opposite directions by means of a forked arm 68, which is mounted on a shaft 69. Shaft 69' is operated by a motor I0 and a transmission enclosed with a transmission housing II. These parts will be subsequently more fully described. v

In the run 36 of channel 23 is arranged a twisted tubular turner I2. This turner inverts the doughnuts after the same have been cooked a predetermined length of time so that the said doughnuts may be cooked equally on both sides thereof.

For. removing the cooked doughnuts from the machine an ejector 13 is employed which is disposed in the run '38 of channel 23. This ejector comprises a shaft I4 which is constantly driven from the transmission within the housing IL;

This shaft has mounted on it oppositely extending cranks I5 and 16. Sets of toothed blades TI and I8 are mounted on the said cranks and are adapted to be alternately raised and lowered as the shaft 14 rotates. 'The'lower ends1-9 of these blades slide upon an inclined rest 8| which is mounted on the bottom I9 of the receptacle Win the portion of the run 4| leading from the run 39. It will readily be comprehended that, as the doughnuts reach the said blades, the doughnuts are elevated and progressed upwardly and outwardly of the cooking kettle I8. The ejector I3 is disposed within a trough 82 constructed with two side plates 83 and. 84 and a bottom 85 at the discharge end thereof, which directs the doughnuts upon leaving the ejector outwardly of the machine.

For controlling the elevation of the cooking liquid in the channel 23 a dam 9| is used which extends across the run 38 of channel 23, at the locality of the beginning of the reservoir 39. The

cooking liquid in flowing through the channel 23 passes over this dam, which serves as a weir and is maintained at a predetermined elevation there- The transmission within the case II utilizes the motor I0 previously referred to. This motor is constructed with an armature shaft 9| which has attached to the end thereof a worm 92. Worm 94, best shown in- Fig. 1. This shaft isjournalled in bearings formed on the case II. Shaft 94 has attached to it a worm 96 which meshes with '92 meshes with a worm wheel 93 fast on a shaft a worm wheel 91, fast on a vertical-shaft. 98,

bearing 99. The lower end of the-Shaft I913 .:has.

secured to it a crank I06 which ispivotallyconnected .to a connecting rod I01, best shown'in Fig. 4. This connecting rodis in turn pivoted-to a head "18 attached to the end of a reciprocating rod I09. Rod I09 is slidable mounted in a guide III attached to the transmission'case ;'II and; in

another guide |I2 attached to the portion -22 ofkettle I8. 7

The shaft 69 operating the cutter '64 is journalledin two bearings II 3 and H4 inthecase II. This shaft has attached toxit an arm ;|I5 which has mounted on the end of it a roller II6. Roller I I6 is adapted to engage aca-mII'I, formed on the gear I02. As the said gear rotates shaft69 is oscillated and the cutter 94- operated. The roller I I 6 is maintained in contact with cam I! by means of a compression coil spring;-not shown in the drawings. This coil spring is enclosed within a case II8 anchored to one ofthe walls of. the case II and bearsagainst'ahead l'I-9.-piv oted to an. arm I 2|, secured to shaft 69, which arm is bestshown in Fig. 4. Case I I8 slides in;a boss I20 formed on the case II.

The shaft I4, operating the ejejctor 'I3, i-s journalled in bearings I22 and I23 formed in the r .acrossthis pocket is a grid I21. The doughnuts. in travelling along the portion 34 of the channel 23, are directed against the grid I2-'|* and so 'remain due to the current of the cooking-liquid being in that direction. The cooking liquidicon- ,tinues past the grid 21 and around. the-curved portion 35 and into thepocket;I2,6',:fr0mwhlch it,

This shaft is emerges into the portion 3,6 of the channel and then continues through the turner 12 J and the 35., A grid I28 extends across the same and pro:

vides a pocket I29 in said curved portion. The grid I28 operates in the same manner ,as grid I21 and retards movement of the doughnuts directed against it by the current in th'e channel I30.

The cooking liquidupon arriving at the grid causes the doughnuts to remain against it and; said cooking liquid travels through the grid. and into the pocket I29 from which the cooking liquid emerges and enters the portion 38 of channel 23 and passes through the remainder of said channel.'- I

Forreleasing the doughnuts trapped at the grids I21 and I28, a releasing device I3I is employed, which is best shown in Fig.1. This re-, leasing device comprises two arms I32 and I33 which are angularly related with respect to one another and which are connected to a hub I34.

These arms are pivoted on a pintle I35 passing through the hub I34 and secured to a bracket.

I40 attached to the ledge 21 of the kettle I8. The arm I32 hasxattached to it a dependingfing er I36 the shape of an angle which is adapted. to normally lie in a recess I39 formed in'the kettle at the'edgeof the portion 34 of the channel 23. Ina similar manner, the arm I32- isattached to a depending finger I31 which is adapted to normally lie within a recess. I38. formed in the kettle along one of the walls of the portion 30 of the channel 23., These two fingers are adapted to engage the doughnuts trapped against the grids I21 and I28jand to shift the same away from said grids and :into

the current of the cooking liquid beyond .the

same when the arms I32 and I33 are swung in remaining doughnuts. M x For swinging. the arms I32 and I 33, a link MI is employedwhich is pivotally connectedat I42 to the arm I33. This link isalso connected at I43 to the sliding rod I09, previously referred to, which is guided for reciprocating, movement in the bearing II2 attached to the-portion 22v of kettle I8, and in the bearing IIIformed on the case-TI of the transmission. The: rod I09 is reciprocated by the crank I06, as. previously brought out to swing the two arms I32 and I33 in a manner to manipulate the doughnuts.

Theoperationof the invention isas follows: Normally the. two fingers I36; and I31 are disposed within the recesses I39 and I.38 Whe n the gear I02'is operated by the gear IN, the crank I06 causes the rod I09 to reciprocate at a the same time the. cam I I1 I engages cam' roller H6 and rocks sh aft 29. This causes the formation of a doughnut and the shifting'of the doughnuts trapped against the grids m and 128 into the current of the cooking liquid where the same continues to travel. 'Due to the fact that the fingers I36 and I31 are angle-shape the same same reach the grids I21 and: I28 at whichtime thesaid doughnuts. are arrestedand remain until the device again operates. Inasmuch as the ejector ;13 operates continuously the same elevates the doughnuts as soon as the same are re-, leased by the finger. I31.

In-Figs. '6, 7 and 8 I have shown a modification of the invention; Inasmuch ascertain of the parts .of the invention are identical with thosedescribed in connection'with the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5. the description thereof will not be repeated and corresponding partswill be designated by the same reference numerals to which the suffix a will be added. 6

lathe form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the-channel 23a is so arranged that the pockets IZta and I290. are disposed laterally of the portions 34a and 38a of the channel 23, instead of at the ends of the said runs of the channel. The

grids. I21a and |28a of this form of the invention do not extend across the ends of the channels but extend diagonally from the wallsof the channel and up toward the pockets I26a and [29d to direct the doughnuts passing through said channels out of the channels and into the said; pockets. It will also be noted. that .the pockets I26a and I290, are formed with end walls I41 and I48, absent from the other form of the invention and against which the doughnuts engage. Inasmuch as the tendency of the current ofQthe liquid is to'travelin a. straight line, the

, current passes directlyalong the run 34a and into the run 360. by-passing the pocket I26a. This causes the doughnuts entering the said pocket to remain in the pocket and against the wall I41 thereof until released, as will be pres ently described. The same is true with the doughnuts entering-the pocket I29a H For shifting the doughnuts out of the pockets I26q and 12921 fingersl36a and I31a. are employed which are similar to the fingers I36 and I31, These fingers normally lie in recesses I39a.

and I380. which are formed in the kettle I8 directly opposite the doughnuts disposed therein. The two fingers are attached to arms .I32a and -I33a-.which are'directly attached to the rod I09a'instea1d of being pivotally mounted. The

rod I09a is guided for reciprocating movement in three guides Illa, II 211. and I46, the former beingformedon case Hat-and the two latter being attached to kettle I8a. The arms I32a and I330 are so designed that they support the fingers I36a and I31a at the .proper positions to. engage .the doughnuts. When the rod. I09a is reciprocated by means of the transmission within the case 1Ia, as described in connection therefrom to receive the doughnuts therebetween." These fingers prevent accidental movemerit of the doughnuts out of the pockets I26a and I29 prior to m p lation of the fingers I360, and .I31a.

' In. Figs. 9 and l0 I have shown another modiwill not be repeated and corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numeralsto v which the suffix b will be added.

In this form of the invention the channel 231) is provided with two return bends 3511* and 315 instead of the curved portion shown in Fig. 1, which bends communicate with the straight runs 3 th and M1). Grids IZ'Ib-and I281) extend across the pockets I261) and I291), formed by said bends. In this form of the invention the doughnuts are shifted laterally from one channel to the other across. the bends. I

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9 the finger I311: is provided with another finger I53 spaced therefrom. This finger is connected to the finger I3'Ib by a bar I531) and prevents the doughnuts from sliding out of the channel in which they are retained until the arm I33a is manipulated. A similar finger I54 is used in conjunction with the finger I361). The finger I54 is attached to a bar I55. This bar is slidably mounted at one end in a guide I56 attached to kettle I817. The other end of this bar is pivoted at I51 to the arm I321). By means of this construction the finger I54 is held in obstructing position when finger I381) is disposed in recess I391) and is moved out of obstructing position when the parts are arranged as shown in dotted lines inFig. 9. arms I32a and I33a is'similar to that previously described. i

The advantages of my invention are manifest. With my improved control device a single movable member may be used with each control device. The doughnuts are maintained in position by engagement with a fixed member and are disengaged by movement out of such position throughthe action of -a movable member. This movable member need not move at any particular rate of speed. With my invention the doughnuts are admitted, one at'a time, so that positive con-'.

trol thereof may be had. With my improved control device the mechanism is disposed entirely above the cooking liquid so that clogging of the parts thereof is entirely prevented. The invention can be constructed at a nominal cost and is practically fool-proof.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without'departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and-desire to protect by Letters Patent is: 1. In. a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, means forming an obstruction in said way for obstructing the travel of doughnuts in the Way, and a movable member for engaging the doughnuts and moving the same out of engagement with said obstruction and to. a position in said way in which further progression occurs.

2. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, a member fixed in said way and forming an obstruction for obstructing. the passing of the doughnuts along the way, and'a movable member for engaging the doughnuts'and moving the same laterally out of engagement with said obstruction.

3. In a doughnut machine in whichthedoughnuts are progressed through the flow of the cooking liquid along a way having a pocket therein, a grid at the. locality of said pocket for controlling the position of thedoughnuts' at the pocket and The method of operating the.

modest amovable n'iembe'r for moving the doughnuts from their position at the pocket and back into the way.

4.- In a doughnut machine in which the dough-, nuts'are progressed through the flow of the cook ing liquid along a way having an ofi set therein,

a gridfor directing doughnuts from said way'and into said oif-set, means at said off-set for" ob-' structing the travel of doughnuts, and a movable member for. engaging the doughnuts in the ofifs'et and moving the same bac-k'into the way.

5. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed through the flow of the cooking liquid along a way having an enlargement;

therein, an obstruction in a portion of 'saiderilargement,'a doughnut travelling along said way and reaching said obstruction being obstructed from movement thereby, and a movable member for moving the doughnut past said obstruction and into another part of the way in which pro gression occurs. 1 r

6. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed through the flow of the cooking liquid along a way, obstructing means ex tending transversely of said way and against which the doughnuts impinge upon travelling through the way, and a member moving parallel l with said obstructing means to move the dough I way in which saidportion of the way, and a, movable member for moving the doughnuts from said portion of the way and back into the portion of the'way along which the cooking liquid flows. 8. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed through the fiow of the cook ing liquid along away, an obstructing member in said way, said waybeing arranged so that a run of the channel leads up to said obstructing member and another run leads away from said obstructing member, the current of said first named run tending to hold a doughnut against? doughnut from the first run and away from said obstruction to said second run. I

9.- In a doughnut machine in which the dough nuts are progressed throughthe flow of the cooking liquid along a way having a bend'therein" connected by two runs, a grid extending across said bend and against which a doughnutc'arried by the first run impinges, and means for shifting the doughnut from the first run to the second run.

said obstruction, and means for moving' the.

10. In a doughnut machine in which the, dough-- I nuts areprogressed through the flow of the-cook ing liquid along a way having a return bendc onnected by two runs, a grid extending across said bend between the opposite walls of said runs and against which a doughnut carried in the first run" impinges and means movable along said grid for shifting the doughnut from the first run to, the f second run.

'11'. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed through the flow of .the cooking liquid along a way having two connected runs extending in different directions, a movable member for holding the doughnut frommoveet' ment from one run and into the other, saidmember being disposed between said: runs and means for shifting said member out of engaging 7 position and for moving the doughnut from the first run and into the second run.

12. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed through the fiow of the cooking liquid along a Way having two runs one ofi-set relative to the other, a. pair of spaced fingers between which a doughnut may enter in travelling along the first run and means for simultaneously moving the fingers to shift the doughnut to the second run.

ALEXANDER S. T. LAGAARD. 

